Milk Movie

Perhaps it was intentional, perhaps not. But two photos thathang on the wall of the beauty parlor in the Cypress Civic Theatre Guild's production of "Steel Magnolias" use hairstyle models who resemble Daryl Hannah and Julia Roberts, stars of the 1989 movie of Robert Harling's tear-jerker. While use of those pictures might make it look as if the Cypress troupe intended to milk the movie's success, nothing could be further from the truth about a production that draws on far more modest resources.

As cities and schools across California celebrated the 82nd birthday of slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk, Orange County elected leaders remained steadfastly silent. Activists, for the second year, asked Orange County supervisors Tuesday to recognize Milk's birthday with a proclamation, but the board declined the opportunity, as it did last year. One of the supervisors, Janet Nguyen, walked from the board room shortly after the activists began their presentation. Last year, Nguyen also left the meeting as the activists spoke.

The cafe is narrow, with a dozen little tables and a gray concrete floor. Nothing too fancy. Nothing too shiny. No espresso poured into designer porcelain with a dusting of organic cacao and a layer of orange-infused, textured milk. No movie stars. Or hardly ever. But Kaldi Coffee & Tea is home to a community of dreamers who share a singular ambition: They want to be part of the movies. Since the silent film era, people have flocked to L.A., seeking stardom. Hollywood may change, but the calculus remains the same.